Why Do Poison Dart Frogs Have Such Bright Colors?

💡 The Answer

• Their vivid colors warn predators of potent skin toxins, a defense called aposematism.
• Frogs get toxins from their diet of ants and mites that contain poisonous alkaloids.
• Captive bred frogs lose their toxicity because they lack the specific prey.
• Indigenous hunters used their poison to tip blow darts, giving the frogs their name.